AudioLayer vs TB Equalizer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
AudioLayer
This app is a powerful mobile multi-sampler for music production, offering advanced features for creating and manipulating complex instruments. It integrates seamlessly with iOS production environments and supports iCloud for easy collaboration and storage.
- Streaming Sample Engine (SSE)
- Hierarchical Layer and Zone editing
- Seamless Instrument Switching (SIS)
- Integrated audio sample recorder
- Auto Sampler for hardware synths
- AUv3 AudioUnit integration
- iCloud storage and collaboration
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AudioLayer satisfies the most sought after gap for contemporary music production on iOS devices. AudioLayer is a full featured open standard audio multi-sampler pushing the boundaries beyond what has been available even in the desktop music production worlds. And all this integrated in all relevant iOS production environments especially the emerging AUv3 AudioUnit standard. - SSE - Streaming Sample Engine - The ultra efficient Streaming Sample Engine SSE is capable of playing hundreds of voices of big multi-sampled instruments even in strictly resource limited applications like using multiple instances of AudioLayer in AudioUnit host environments. Innovative features like Sub Sample Looping for perfect loops even in the audible range extend the range of applications even further. - Multiple storage options - The consequent usage of the open file structure of the Files app makes organising even large sample libraries a breeze. Sample recordings and Instrument designs made with AudioLayer are seamlessly available across all your devices and desktop using either iCloud storage or external SSD. The iCloud option opens up new forms of collaborations with musicians all around the world to share your creations and work together. - Multi Scope Editing - To support the creation of complex multi-sampled instruments AudioLayer allows you to use a hierarchical structure of Layers and Zones each with it’s own sound manipulation parameters. A unique element of AudioLayer is the possibility to decide for each Zone at which Scope level your editing apply: For the all Zones in the Instrument, for the Layer only or individually for this Zone only. This opens a whole new world of creative options for sound mangling. For sound manipulation you can use a full set of Filters, Envelopes and LFOs to shape the pitch, timbre and level of the sound of each Zone. SIS - Seamless Instrument Switching The unique architecture of the Streaming Sample Engine allows for instant loading of even complex instruments and makes this switching from one Instrument to the next without cutting off the sound! And this includes of course also different effect settings - Easy Design Workflow - The built in audio sample recorder let you create Instruments on the fly in seconds. The Music Effect AudioUnit / Audiobus effect plugin of AudioLayer let you record multi-samples semi automatically directly inside your preferred host and instantly create an Instrument with the help of several Auto mapping options available. This includes file name based mapping of key ranges and velocities and automatic pitch detection. For the creatives we’ve also integrated a special “Single Cycle Waveform” detector making the use of this special files a breeze. - Auto Sampler feature for easy creation of Sample Instruments from hardware synthesiser. - Versilian Studio Sample Library ( VCSL/VSCO ) with excellent strings and orchestra samples for free download - Exchange libraries with XinematiX App Integration • Stand-alone App • Sample import for EXS24 and SFZ Format • AUv3 AudioUnit Instrument and Music Effect • Inter App Audio • Audiobus 3 Input/Effect with state saving support. • Audio recorder with share function. • Ableton Link compatible.
TB Equalizer
This professional audio plug-in offers advanced equalization with a dynamic workflow and warm, non-linear filters. It processes microphone input in real-time and integrates with AUv3-compatible host apps for music production.
- Mastering grade equalizer
- Integrated spectrum and dynamics analyzer
- Up to 16 filter sections
- Dynamic or static filter modes
- AI-powered equalization suggestions
- Oversampling and anti-aliasing
- Mid/side/left/right processing
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ToneBoosters Equalizer is a top-quality, professional, dynamic equalizer AUv3 plug-in with an unrivalled workflow, warm, non-linear filters and a gorgeous, functional user interface. The ToneBoosters Equalizer app captures the microphone (or external sound card) input and processes the signals in real time. To use it as a plug-in, use an AUv3-compatible host app such as Steinberg Cubasis, Apple Garageband, Audio Evolution Mobile Studio, Auria, AUM, or others. ToneBoosters Equalizer will appear in the list of Audio Unit extensions for effect plug-ins. Key features: - Mastering grade, professional equalizer - Integrated spectrum analyser and dynamics analyser - The same professional sound as the acclaimed desktop version - Up to 16 filter sections with a very wide range of filter types - Run each section in dynamic or static mode - Run each section with digital purity or with analog character and non-linearities - Oversampling and anti-aliasing modes to further improve sound quality - Use Artificial Intelligence (AI) for content-dependent equalisation suggestions - Audition mode to easily identify problematic frequency areas - Automatic level make up function for every section - Zero latency mode for live operation - Lasso function to select and move multiple filters simultaneously - Piano display to select musical note frequencies - Output VU meters showing peak and RMS levels simultaneously - Undo/redo, and A/B comparison - Color themes for the user interface - Adjustable colours for every filter section - Mid, side, left, right processing for stereo input for each section - Max screen support in Garageband - Optimised for iPad and compatible with iPhone and iPod Touch - Efficient, low CPU usage What you should know: - Licenses acquired for this platform are not compatible with other platforms. - Audio Unit (AUv3) extensions require an iPad mini 2, iPad 4 or later models.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: TB Equalizer at none against AudioLayer's 1. TB Equalizer also leads on review sentiment (85% vs 56%) and price ($9.99 vs $12.99). AudioLayer's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly). On rating, ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
AudioLayer costs $12.99 and TB Equalizer $9.99 up front. AudioLayer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. TB Equalizer asks for nothing beyond the download.
TB Equalizer holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 179 and 66 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of AudioLayer's written reviews are positive against 85% of TB Equalizer's.
AudioLayer ships an update fortnightly, TB Equalizer monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | AudioLayer | TB Equalizer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $12.99 | $9.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.4 (179 ratings) | 4.6 (66 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 55.6% of reviews | 85.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 179 — better | 66 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Monthly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 242 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Harry Gohs | ToneBoosters |
Customer experience
AudioLayer
TB Equalizer
User reviews
AudioLayer
From 179 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🎹 Powerful multi-layer sampling capabilities
- 📥 EXS24 and SFZ file import support
- 🎯 Round-robin functionality for realistic instruments
- ⚡ Efficient performance on older devices
- 🎚️ Comprehensive effects rack with quality sound
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent crashes across multiple iOS versions
- ⚠️ Stability issues in AUM and other hosts
- 🔌 High CPU/DSP usage causing performance spikes
- 🔋 Battery drain and device heating
- ❌ Missing undo function
TB Equalizer
From 66 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🎶 Professional sound quality
- 💡 Intuitive and easy to use
- 💰 Excellent value for money
- 🚀 Powerful features
- ✨ High-quality product
Room to improve
- 📱 UI size is too small on iPhones
- 🤏 Microscopic menus and icons
- 🎛️ Popup window for node selections is redundant
- 🖥️ Takes away valuable screen space on smaller devices
- 🚫 Popup cannot be disabled
Bugs and requests
AudioLayer
Reported bugs
17 issues- App crashes on startup (splash screen)
- Reverb and chorus effects cause sound to disappear
- Pitch resets to -24 after stopping Logic Pro playback
- Layer voice polyphony controls not working properly
- SFZ batch import distributes samples incorrectly across layers
Show 12 moreShow fewer
- EXS24 import fails for complex instruments (pianos, drum kits)
- MIDI source names display as 'Unknown Name'
- Plugin window resizing required to access all controls
- Sample end marker positioning doesn't work in all view sizes
- Soundfont import module shows as missing despite purchase
- App becomes unresponsive when loading complex instruments
- Control Change 11 (Expression) not received
- Autosampler function button missing after update
- Settings not saved properly as AUv3 plugin
- Instrument loading defaults to first instrument in host
- Click/pop noises in sustain loops
- Inter-Audio (IAA) compatibility broken
Requested features
17 requests- Time-stretching/pitch-shifting capability
- Program Change MIDI support
- Undo/Redo functionality
- GigaSampler .gig library support
- Soundfont SF2 import (now paid feature)
Show 12 moreShow fewer
- MIDI learn for real-time parameter control
- Expression (CC11) and other CC support
- Multi-output support for individual zone routing
- Batch import and file management improvements
- Instrument selection screen persistence in MIDI mode
- Bit reduction effect for vintage sampler emulation
- Better local file management and folder organization
- Modulation wheel pitch control
- Transposition features
- Disk streaming for larger libraries
- Macro/customizable GUI support
- Purge unused samples function
TB Equalizer
Reported bugs
12 issues- Popup window for node selections cannot be disabled
- Plug-in not being read correctly
- Destroys mixed tracks
- App crashes LumaFusion as a plug-in
- Makes audio sound flat
Show 7 moreShow fewer
- Doesn't adjust any frequency
- Compatibility problem with Air Pod Pro
- Dynamic mode only works for taming frequency bands (compression), not boosting (expansion)
- LFO maximum frequency could be improved
- Instruments lose crystalline sound under 17Khz
- Only one channel side chain
- Need more bands for side chain
Requested features
14 requests- Disable popup window for node selections
- Larger UI for iPhones
- Fix plug-in reading issues
- Mouse compatibility
- Improve LFO maximum frequency
Show 9 moreShow fewer
- Add negative dynamic ratios
- Implement multi-band compressor
- Add a channel for ~5 bands side chain
- More documentation available
- Add brickwalls
- Fading spectrum on reverb app
- More Tonebooster AUs on iOS
- Dark mode option
- Advanced analytics dashboard
In-app purchases
AudioLayer
- SoundFont Import$3.99
TB Equalizer
No in-app purchases








